Southflyfisher was provided the Epic Trutta Model 3/4/5 Fly Reel by Swift Fly Fishing for testing. This review complies with FTC and NZASA guidelines and our Disclosures policy.

Hubless reels have breezed in and out of the fly fishing industry without any models carving out a longstanding mainstream reputation.

Epic’s Lunar AC2 back in 2017 was truly sensory overload for those lucky enough to secure this piece of modern art. Loop, via Danielsson, gave it a really good nudge with their hubless Salmon range. More recently, Markus Rohrbach at Swiss Tackle has built the Blackwater 2 for 4-6wt lines and Arctic Silver of Denmark has brought a 5/6wt hubless to the market. Built in South Korea, their IC3 reel is highly futuristic (although they persist with old school petroleum-based neoprene reel cases which surely must be phased out across the sector soon).

Speaking of reputations, it’s appropriate to acknowledge South Korea as the emerging global leader in production fly rods and reel manufacturing – with many industry brands, including Epic, Redington, Douglas, Hardy, Taylor and others, turning to this Asian powerhouse for world-class quality build and assembly of rods and reels.

Anyway, there’s a new kid on the reel block and this hubless fly reel is turning heads and winning hearts. Let’s check it out.

Epic Trutta Hubless Fly Reel

The hubless fly reel is back at Epic, with this stunner set to be a classic right across the fly fishing world in coming years.

Designed in collaboration with renowned Ukrainian fly reel designer Vlad Rachenko (VR Reels), Epic called their freshly-released Trutta “a new take on the classic small trout clicker reel”.

Weighing in at only 106 grams (3.73 oz), the Epic Trutta Model 3/4/5 is available in one compact size suitable for 3 to 5 weight fly lines – the perfect reel for brookies, char, masu salmon – in fact any trout of more modest proportions – and just like Epic’s innovative FastGlass rods, this reel brings a big dose of fun back into small stream fishing.

Look closer at their ingenious design and you’ll note that the simple clicker is placed within the handle, with the handle positioned close to the spool axis for rapid retrieval. The high capacity spool has a Universal Left/Right design for easy setup. Within the frame, a series of aligned dimples encircle the ‘hub’ to activate the click drag. The anodised finish is first rate and the reel assembly feels firm and functional.

The Trutta is available in Satin Black frame & spool. They also offer Red Spool, Blue Spool, and Silver spool variants, meaning you have four colors to choose from. Spools are water resistant, with sealed bearings, plus two spare clickers are stored within the handle, tensioned by small springs.

Yes, I disassembled the entire reel and spool so you don’t have to. There are two spare clickers in the handle, trust me.

Pro tip: If you do insist on unscrewing the handle to check on your clicker spares, take care as the black handle is loosened, not to lose any springs or spare clickers when the handle comes free.

In line with their thoughtful approach to rod and line packaging, Epic has taken a further leadership role by moving to what they are labelling a “premium Enviro-friendly X-Pac reel case.”

Produced from 100% post-consumer recycled polyester fabric that is 100% climate neutral, this protective case sends a signal for the industry to put an end to neoprene reel covers. Originally designed for sailcloth, X-Pac is a four-layer laminate that not only provides great durability, but is lightweight, UV resistant, and 100% waterproof (DWR).

The Trutta in Action

I’ve been fishing the Trutta – armed with Epic’s true-to-weight Glassline in 5 weight – since the start of last season and I can tell you that the clicker on this reel puts a smile on my face every time it sings.

My last click-pawl reel that saw regular action was a Hardy Viscount LA MKIII that did more than a few tours of duty on the Taupo winter circuit (I’ve still got it plus a spare spool). Prior to that, a Scientific Anglers System Two back in the 1990s (I loved that reel), an Olympic 440 (the handle eventually fell off that one) and back further, an old Pflueger Medalist.

But these modern click drags are much more refined, with the clicker pin (cleverly embedded within the handle) clicking into a cog that is merely a set of well-engineered dimples surrounding the inner circle of frame. As the spool unwinds line, the clicker create sufficient drag so as not to overrun the line as it is stripped off the spool by hand or fish.

A beautiful thing to behold. At least until you hit a powerful rainbow, deep into a tiny tributary up in New Zealand’s Central Otago high country. With the fish heading downstream through staircase gorges where every few meters along the river equals a vertical meter up – or in my case down – rubbing shins against bear-sized boulders, reel clicks merging into a single scream (actually, that may have been me) as I clumsily attempt to add further drag with my palm to subdue said trout.

Unfazed, the Trutta’s fast retrieve – combined with bemusement, or perhaps a sense of pity from a now more compliant fish – allowed the reel and rod, with me not too far behind, to bring it to the net.

Last season my New Year resolutions included plans to make more time for a 4wt line and 8 ft rod and to enjoy weekly wanders up tiny southern burns that burble with crisp, clear mountain water during hot, still summer days, casting delicate dries to rising speckled browns of more appropriate proportions to the rod/reel combo. Foiled by family, expeditions and an Epic FastGlass 686 that I've fully embraced, this remains on my radar for the coming 25/26 season.

To be fair, I had to step up to a six weight rig for earlier high country water expeditions, and stillwater sessions when the local rivers blew out – a frequent occurrence since the 2024/25 Southern Hemisphere season opened to wave after wave of storms and snow squalls.

But once our very wet spring season mellowed into bursts of balmy early summer, I fitted the Trutta, spooled in seductive Satin Cherry Red, to my magical Epic 590G wand and re-lived my carefree click-pawl youth on some of our close-to-Wānaka streams.

If you’ve perused the review of Epic’s Reference 590G, you’ll know I’m a big fan of the accuracy, responsiveness and the perfect balance between distance and delicacy of this true-to-weight fly rod.

The Trutta is aptly named – as it loves to do battle against the chunky brown trout that cruise beneath the overhanging willows of our local lake. One could easily underestimate this compact 3-5 weight reel, but it comes out of its corner when called upon and, when partnered with the 590G is more than capable of subduing these stillwater brawlers in short order.

Final Thoughts

My love affair with click drags has returned. And hubless reels, well, that desire never went away. So I’m thrilled there’s a hubless Epic fly reel back on the block. It has already won my heart.

Next June, I’ll be fishing the spring creeks of Montana and I can assure you I’ll be taking the Trutta (perhaps adorning an Epic FastGlass 476 or an Epic Reference 480G) on that adventure. I am certain it will turn more than a few heads on the river.

Note: The Epic Trutta Model 3/4/5 is available on Epic’s website in a satin black frame, with spool color choices of blue, red, silver or black with all currently in stock. This reel comes bundled with a whole lot of good times ahead for the buyer.